Publications

Economic growth is expected to accelerate in 2018 and 2019, due to higher oil prices, stronger external demand and the easing of fiscal consolidation.

Chemicals businesses dependent on raw materials imports are highly exposed to exchange rate volatility and the looming threat of trade restrictions.

Good short-term outlook for the chemicals sector, but Brexit poses a downside risk for businesses profitability and payment behaviour in the mid-term.

Indonesian pharmaceuticals sector growth is driven by a rising population and the roll-out of the government's universal healthcare insurance system.

Further growth expected, but businesses dependent on construction, construction materials and consumer durables still require particular attention.

Potential taxes on chemicals-related imports could find US chemicals businesses paying more for feedstocks and would negatively impact supply chains.

Sales growth in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare market is supported by a robust economic outlook and increasing private and public healthcare spending.

Payment delays have not increased in 2017, despite many businesses suffering from decreased liquidity due to higher import prices for commodities.

Payment behaviour in the Polish chemicals sector has been good over the past two years, and the number of non-payments and insolvencies has been low.

Payment delays and insolvencies are expected to increase in the chemicals sector due to lower sales and the lira depreciation since the end of 2017.

Despite concerns about energy security, the gas trade between Europe and Russia is working for the benefit of both

All eyes are on US trade policy, but we forecast trade to continue to grow robustly in 2018.

The percentage of overdue B2B invoices increased in 2018 impacting 64.1% of survey respondents in countries surveyed in the Americas.

Like most of their peers in the Americas, respondents in Brazil reported an increase in the proportion of overdue B2B invoices this year.

The recent bout of lira depreciation in the run-up to the snap elections has reduced import demand from Turkey and increased payment risk.

Pound sterling depreciation in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum in June 2016 has had significant impacts on UK-EU trade flows.

Despite still high growth rates the sector is facing a challenging economic environment, with fiercer competition and oversupplies in some segments.

A deterioration of trade relations with China could negatively affect the ICT component supply side and confront US end-consumers with higher sales prices.

While many Japanese ICT businesses are highly indebted, companies obtain finance easily as banks are very willing to lend and interest rates are low.

Despite continued sales growth, most German ICT businesses operate on very tight margins due to fierce competition and price erosion in most subsectors.